Hi there! With Memorial Day Weekend here, I’ve been thinking about how I need to update and add a few pieces to my summer wardrobe. It’s so easy to want every dress or fun top you see once the weather starts to warm up – tell me it’s not just me! But, I love to rely on staples that I can mix and match or accessorize differently for a whole new look each time. Today, I’m sharing an edit of staples for summer and a few ways you can change up each of them.
Summer Staples You Can Live In
Summer fashion has arrived, and each year, I find myself turning to wardrobe essentials that keep me cool and help me feel chic! Think of these pieces as a summer capsule wardrobe – items you can mix and match or use as base layers to your outfit.
Neutral Dress
Let’s start with a neutral dress like the one I’m wearing. My exact dress also comes in black. It’s actually on sale for Memorial Day weekend. Anyway, a neutral dress like this is one of my favorite things to wear in the summer because it can be styled in so many different ways. Plus, it’s perfect for spring and summer since it’s lightweight and linen. Click here to read my blog post on all the ways to style a midi dress for summer. While I chose a midi dress because it’s easy for me to move around in with a toddler, pick whichever length you think you’ll get the most use from!
Pattern or Print Dress
I also like to have a mini or midi dress with some sort of print for dinner, nights out, or special occasions. I recently picked up this one. A patterned dress also looks nice with sneakers or sandals for a casual look depending on the dress.
Linen Pants
Linen is a warm weather essential, and I always reach for it whenever summer rolls around. I’ve been wearing flowy linen pants like these (mine are from a previous year) non-stop with cotton t-shirts, a blouse, or a button up. Linen pants really go with everything! Plus, they come in all different styles, so you can find something for work or the weekend.
Basic Linen T-Shirt
A basic linen t-shirt is another summer staple for me. I’ve always bought this one from J.Crew. I typically go for a size small. You can do so much with a linen t-shirt! I love to pair mine with denim, but they look nice with a cotton skirt, linen skirt, or fun pattern pants too.
Soft and Lightweight Button Up
If a button up is more your style, I love that! I wear them all the time. One of my favorite things is a linen button up or a lightweight cotton button up styled with denim or a skirt and your shoe of choice. These shirts are ideal for work, too.
There are a lot of perks to the button up! They’re work appropriate, easy to style, and you will be warm enough inside in the air conditioning but also won’t overheat outside. They also look nice with any type of shoes – I’m wearing slingbacks here (linked similar), and I also wear this outfit with sandals like this pair.
White Cotton Skirt Or White Linen Skirt
While I definitely love jeans, a basic skirt that you can wear with the tops I mentioned above is also something I love to wear in the summer, especially since it gets so hot here in DC. These skirts would just as easily go with a beautiful blouse and strappy sandals for an elevated outfit. Plus, you can put together a work appropriate outfit with any of these white skirts, a blouse, and ballet flats or loafers.
On-Trend Crochet Top
I was shocked by how gorgeous this crochet top was when I noticed it in store! I definitely wasn’t looking for a crochet top, but this one is just so cute. It’s also lightweight, which is a requirement for hot summers in DC. There are a lot of ways to style this for something casual like I’m wearing here, or pair it with a skirt and ballet flats for the office.
Espadrilles
I love sandals, but I don’t always want to wear them around the city. So, espadrilles are typically my go-to shoes for casual looks because they provide a covered toe or they’re at least elevated. I wear them with jeans, linen pants, linen skirts, cotton skirts, etc. Espadrilles are really popular, so you can definitely find a pair that work for casual weekend outings or an elevated casual dinner! This pair is in my shopping cart right now, and so is this pair!
Silk Top
A silk top like the one I’m wearing is a super breathable option for warm weather when you need to look nice! This top would look nice with a cotton skirt, and I also love how you can elevate a denim outfit with a silk blouse. While I went with white, my blouse also comes in a beautiful green.
Linen Blazer
I love adding a blazer to a t-shirt and jeans look for summer nights! My exact blazer is sold out, but this one is a really pretty brown linen, and I love how it has matching pants with an elastic waist and belt loops!
You may think of blazers for colder weather, but I think linen blazers are wardrobe essentials for summer fashion. I really reach for my blazers all year! There are so many linen options that are the perfect weight for a summer layer. If you want to read more about wearing a linen blazer, click here for my recent blog post on tips for styling a linen blazer.
What are your favorite summer staples? Did I miss any? Let me know in the comments. Thanks so much for stopping by!
